Matthew Richardson previews Saturday night's Round 13 clash against Essendon at Darwin's TIO Stadium.

1. The Northern Territory’s Tiger Army

Dreamtime in Darwin should boast a capacity 5461 fans. The players thrive on the support of the Tiger Army, couple that with the cultural experience of Dreamtime, and we have a Saturday evening blockbuster.

2. Hungry Bombers

Expect an intense effort from Essendon as they currently sit outside the eight. The Bombers have come under scrutiny over the last few weeks and face a tough draw. With games against West Coast Eagles, Geelong and Port Adelaide to follow, the Bombers will be hungry to earn the four points.

3. Houli Return

Richmond have All-Australian half-back, Bachar Houli returning to the side. Half backs that can open the game up with their ball use have never been more important in the AFL Houli brings slick foot skills, an attacking mindset and invaluable experience.

Dustin Martin must get his pen out and put a circle around the Dreamtime clash with Essendon each year.

Even though this year's contest was very different to every other – shifted from the MCG to TIO Stadium in Darwin due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria – the brilliant Richmond midfielder did what he always does and put the Bombers to the sword.

The two-time Norm Smith medallist and dual premiership star steered the Tigers to a 12-point win over the Bombers in the Top End, amassing 29 disposals, seven clearances, nine score involvements and nine inside-50s in a dominant midfield display.

The Bombers are no strangers to Martin's impact, having seen him average 32 disposals and collect 15 Brownlow Medal votes in his previous six games against Essendon.

Shai Bolton was also excellent with 28 disposals and a goal as the rising Indigenous Tigers star claimed his first Yiooken Award voted as the best afield.

But the Tigers' inefficiency kept the Bombers in the game longer than Richmond coach Damien Hardwick would have liked.

Richmond's inaccuracy was evident in the 10.13 (73) to 10.1 (61) result as they controlled the inside-50 count, restricting Essendon to only nine entries for the first half. The Bombers recorded just 24 entries for the game to Richmond's 66.

In the humid and sweaty Northern Territory conditions the Bombers trailed by 15 points at the final change but kept charging in a more attacking last term.

However, Richmond was able to hold off the fast-finishing Bombers to claim their seventh win in their last nine games as their pursuit of a third flag in four years gathers more momentum.

ESSENDON: 1.1 3.1 6.1 10.1 (61)
RICHMOND: 1.5 3.8 7.10 10.13 (73)

GOALS
Essendon: Mosquito 2, Stewart 2, McDonald-Tipungwuti 2, Clarke, Snelling, Stringer, Merrett
Richmond: Riewoldt 2, Lynch 2, Bolton, Rioli, Martin, Lambert, Vlastuin, Chol

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Smith, Saad, Guelfi, McGrath, Parish
Richmond: Martin, Bolton, Lambert, Graham, Pickett, McIntosh

INJURIES
Essendon: Francis (right hamstring)
Richmond: Nil